DAMASCUS, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday proposed a framework for cooperation with Syria and pledged financial and economic support during talks in Damascus with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Von der Leyen made the pledges during a meeting, which also included European Council President Antonio Costa and Syrian foreign chief Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, the Syrian presidency's media office said.
In a video posted on her official X account, she said the European Union (EU) seeks to work with Syrian authorities to support recovery, reconstruction and social stability, while noting that recent security escalations underline the need for continued dialogue among all parties.
Von der Leyen announced that the EU is proposing a new cooperation framework based on three pillars. The first pillar focuses on launching a political partnership, beginning with a high-level dialogue in the first half of this year to explore how the EU can best support Syria.
The second pillar centers on economic cooperation. She said the EU has already lifted economic sanctions, invited the European Investment Bank to resume its activities in Syria, and is seeking to restart discussions on a cooperation agreement that would allow Syria renewed access to European markets.
The third pillar involves financial support, with von der Leyen saying the EU plans to mobilize around 620 million euros (722.5 million U.S. dollars) this year and the next to support humanitarian assistance, early recovery programs and bilateral cooperation.
Von der Leyen also said the EU is working with regional partners, including Türkiye, Jordan and Lebanon, as well as the United Nations refugee agency, to support safe, dignified and voluntary returns of displaced Syrians.
Both sides also stressed the importance of preserving Syria's territorial unity and expanding political dialogue in a way that serves the interests of the Syrian people and supports a balanced and constructive partnership, the Syrian presidency said. ■
